The band made a couple of television appearances and performed several times in concert, twice at New York's Carnegie H
The musicians involved included: Maria D'Amato (Maria Muldaur)- vocals; Frank Goodkin - banjo; David Grisman - mandolin; Stefan Grossman - guitar, banjo, vocals; Bob Gurland - trumpet, vocals; Peggy Haines - jug; Pete Jacobson - guitar, banjo, vocals; Steve Katz - washboard, vocals; Danny Lauffer - jug; Joshua Rifkin - piano, kazoo, vocals; John Benton (John Sebastian) - harp, kazoo; Peter Siegel - banjo, guitar, vocals.
on the road again
The Even Dozen Jug Band Lyrics
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A woman is evil, do things on the sly
You go to your home, says your dinner hot
She never even put the supper in the pot
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
She's on the road again
I went to my window, my window was propped
I went to my door, I found my door was locked
Went back to my window, I put in my head
A great big rounder in my folding bed
I pulled out my shotgun, I shot through the glass
I never saw a little woman run so fast
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
My friend come to my home, he put down his hat
He smiled at her, and said "Where's your husband at?"
I don't know, He's on his way to the pen
Well come on, mama, let's get on the road again
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
She's on the road again
Just as sure as you're born, well come on mama let's get on the road again
"On The Road Again" by The Even Dozen Jug Band is a lively and humorous song that features a man's view on marriage and the infidelity of his partner. The song speaks of the man's distrust in women and his firm decision to never get married. He cites a woman's tendency to deceive covertly as the reason that prevents him from making the leap. The lyrics depict a situation where the woman has left the home and the man discovers that there was no dinner prepared for him, even though he was led to believe so. The woman is described as being "on the road again," which indicates that this is not the first time she has transiently left home. The song also tells the story of the woman's attempt to desert the home when the man catches her and is forced to shoot through the window pane to scare her away.
The lyrics may reflect the views of some men towards women during that era. It is possible that the songwriters were inspired by their experiences with women, but more specifically, their partners' tendencies to leave home for extended periods. The song is entertaining and catchy, and the use of humor is evident. Rather than being a misogynist's rant against women, the song is a lighthearted attack on the institution of marriage, and the complexities that it can bring. The lyrics can be interpreted to be a tongue-in-cheek commentary on men's and women's societal roles and expectations during the time of the song's creation.
Line by Line Meaning
I would not get married, tell you the reason why
I do not want to get married because women are deceitful and do things secretly.
A woman is evil, do things on the sly
Women are evil and have hidden intentions.
You go to your home, says your dinner hot
When you go home, your wife claims the food is ready and hot.
She never even put the supper in the pot
In reality, your wife never even cooked the meal and is deceiving you.
She's on the road again
The woman is leaving again for her own hidden purposes.
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
It is certain that the woman will depart again.
I went to my window, my window was propped
I went to the window and found it was ajar.
I went to my door, I found my door was locked
When I went to the door, I found it was locked from the outside.
Went back to my window, I put in my head
I went back to the window and peered out.
A great big rounder in my folding bed
I found a strange man in my bed.
I pulled out my shotgun, I shot through the glass
I grabbed my shotgun and shot through the window.
I never saw a little woman run so fast
My wife ran away quickly after being caught with another man.
My friend come to my home, he put down his hat
My friend came to my house and made himself comfortable.
He smiled at her, and said "Where's your husband at?"
My friend smiled at my wife and asked her where her husband was.
I don't know, He's on his way to the pen
My wife pretends not to know where I am and lies to my friend.
Well come on, mama, let's get on the road again
My friend suggests that my wife and he leave together.
Just as sure as you're born she's on the road again
The woman is leaving again, this time with my friend.
She's on the road again
The deceitful woman is leaving again.
Just as sure as you're born, well come on mama let's get on the road again
My friend and my wife are leaving together, in the same pattern as before.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: J.B. JONES, WILLIAM SHADE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind